Bar connector assembly

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly for concrete reinforcing bars comprises a seat section  21  and retainer  22  for use with the seat section  21  to connect bars having a semicircle loop at the ends. The seat section  21  is generally U-shaped and the retainer  22  is generally T-shaped. The seat section is symmetrical, the retainer is not, the bars are of uniform cross-section. A wedging action arises from the asymmetry of the retainer. The seat section has opposed lands in the form of posts  28  and  29,  these posts have channels  30  and  31  which take the bar loop sections (not shown). The retainer has a central wedge  37  which, is operative to eliminate play between the bars and the parts of the connector to effectively form a rigid unit. This is accomplished by reason of the complex wedge action arising from a first wedge region adjacent the front at  38  on opposite sides of the wedge  37  and a second wedge region  39  which comprises a curved continuation of the wedge region  38  and a third wedge region at  40.  Thus the first region tends to spread the bars while the second and third wedge regions tend to lift the bars.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a bar connector assembly and in particular butnot limited to a bar connector assembly used to couple or connectU-shaped ends of adjacent reinforcing bars and preferably couple them ina common plane.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is customary to use lap bars projecting from a slab of concrete toconnect bars in an adjacent slab. One example is where lap bars are usedin a wall rebate to connect a floor to a wall.

In DE 3634568 (DENNERT KG VEIT) there is described a tensioning elementfor the frictionally locking connection of prefabricated concretecompound units (prefabricated floor slab) having a basic body and atleast one tensioning member which is rotatably mounted in the basicbody. As tensioning member, use is made of an eccentric shaft which islaid in a reinforcing loop of the prefabricated concrete compound unitsand, with its eccentric circumference, acts on the rounded portion ofthe loop from the inside. The eccentric shaft can rotate relative to thereinforcing loop, as a result of which the tensioning part is produced.The tensioning part of the eccentric shaft is configured as a flatcylindrical eccentric disk.

In JP10140670 (SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION CO LTD) there is described areinforcement connecting structure between precast concrete blocks, sothat reinforcements arranged respectively in two precast concrete blockscan be firmly connected to each other. The reinforcement connectingstructure comprises U-shapedly bent reinforcements respectively buriedin two precast concrete blocks and the U-shaped curved parts are exposedin the vicinity of the joint end of the concrete blocks. Both the blocksare arranged so the curved parts of the reinforcements are arranged intwo concrete blocks in confronting relation and a pair of saddle-likelock metal fittings in contact with the inside of the respective curvedparts. These lock metal fittings are connected together through boltsand nuts, and are fastened so as to introduce a little tension to thereinforcements on both sides.

Each of the aforementioned connectors employ mechanisms which activelytension the opposed loops but in each case the connectors do not takeinto account compression that may occur over time. In addition theapplication of the connector requires adjustment, in the case of theGerman patent, the eccentric shafts have to be adjusted, in the case ofthe Japanese patent the nuts have to be adjusted and this process can betime-consuming where a large number of connectors are being used.

In the applicant's International Application WO 2004/111362 a connectorassembly is used to connect a U-shaped section of reinforcing barsecured within the connector by a retainer. The connector is symmetricalabout so that a corresponding reinforcing bar may be located in theopposite side of the connector. The connector includes a seat sectionwhich co-operates with the retainer The seat section includes opposedD-shaped lands defining thereabout channels into which matching curvedsections of the reinforcing bars can be located and positioned. Theretainer includes a T-shaped projection that extends transverse straightacross the connector and serves to block compressive movement of thebars. The lands inhibit deformation of the U-shaped bars when they areplaced under tension. Preferably the retainer bridges across the seatsection and its engagement with the seat section serves to apply anoutward force to the bars and an inward force to the lands as theretainer is driven into place.

While this connector overcomes many of the disadvantages of the aboveGerman and Japanese connectors the connector assembly does not haveuniversal application and in some cases there is undesirable playbetween reinforcing bar and connector.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate this disadvantageby providing an improved retainer in a connector assembly of the typedescribed in WO 2004/111362.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

In one preferred aspect there is provided a bar connector assemblywhereby at least one bar portion may be connected intimately with theconnector assembly, the connector assembly comprising a body surroundingthe at least one bar portion, the body having a bar seat section and abar retainer, the seat section and retainer being moveable relative toeach other for assembly together to form the surrounding body wherebyduring assembly the seat section, retainer and at least one bar portionare progressively wedged together characterised in that the relationshipbetween retainer and seat section comprises a complex wedge having twowedge actions, one wedge action being adapted to force the at least onebar section in a first direction and the second wedge action beingadapted to force the at least one bar section in a second direction, thecumulative effect of the complex wedge being to eliminate play betweenthe at least one bar portion, seat section and retainer.

Preferably, the seat section and retainer section are separate unitsthat are assembled but may be structured as a partially assembled bodywith two moveable parts where the parts are constrained together fortransport purposes and then “snap”, clip or slide into operativeposition without complete separation.

Preferably, the seat section, retainer and bar portions are wedgedtogether utilising a complex wedging action whereby wedge forces areapplied laterally and outwardly in the direction of the bar portion andthen across the bar portion in order to eliminate play between the barand the connector assembly.

The tolerances employed and the length of the wedging action will varydepending on the dimensions of the bar employed. It is preferable tomake a connector that is operative for variations in bar tolerances fromdifferent manufacturers. Consequently, the wedging action will goslightly further in some cases than others. In some cases where two barsare simultaneously wedged on opposite sides of the retainer by theretainer it is preferable to allow some limited transverse movement ofthe retainer to accommodate bar variations. In other words the wedge maymove sideways as it is being forced into operative position if one baris slightly bigger than the other.

In another preferred embodiment the present invention resides in a barconnector assembly comprising a body having a bar seat section and a barretainer moveable relative to the seat section to enable entry of a barinto the assembly, the seat section being adapted to receive andposition a second bar relative to an adjacent bar connected to theassembly, the retainer being moveable between a first position allowingthe second bar to be placed on the seat section and a second position toblock removal of the second bar from the assembly, the body whenassembled about the bars, the bar seat section and retainer surroundsthe bars, the parts being so dimensioned and arranged that upon assemblythey co-operate to force the bars into intimate relation with the body.The seat section is typically U-shaped while the retainer is typicallyT-shaped and complementary to the U-shaped seat section. Gaps areprovided for U-shaped bar sections so that when assembled play betweenthe body and the U-shaped bar sections is substantially eliminated.

Preferably, intimacy arises through a complex wedge applied to aU-shaped bar section located on the seat. The complex wedge is typicallypart of the retainer shape and drives one or where two bars are useddrives both the bars into close contact with the seat section by aprogressive two or three stage wedging action. The first stage comprisesa lateral wedging action giving rise to a substantially lateral forceand the second stage comprises the addition of a wedging action acrossthe lateral force to lift the bar relative to the lateral direction ofthe first applied force. A third stage may further aid lifting of thebars. It will be appreciated that the applied forces may be more complexthan this but this is an explanatory reduction of the forces.

Preferably, the seat section and retainer section are partiallyassembled and constrained together for transport purposes.

Preferably, the bar portion is outboard of the wedge sections, the seatsection, retainer and bar portion being wedged together, utilising thecomplex wedging action whereby wedge forces are applied laterally andoutwardly in the direction of the bar portion and then across the barportion in order to eliminate play between the bar portion and theconnector assembly.

Preferably, the wedge sections have a length sufficient to make aconnector that is operative for variations in bar tolerances.

Preferably, the connector assembly is configured to connect two opposedbar sections, the retainer being configured to allow some limitedtransverse movement to accommodate differences in the bars beingconnected.

Preferably, the connector assembly is configured to connect two opposedbar sections, the retainer being configured to allow some limitedtransverse movement to accommodate differences in the bars beingconnected, the retainer wedge section being adapted to move sideways asit is being forced into operative position if one bar is slightly biggerthan the other.

Preferably, the bar retainer is moveable relative to the seat section toenable entry of the said at least one bar into the assembly, the seatsection being adapted to receive and automatically position the said atleast one bar relative to an adjacent bar already connected to theassembly, the retainer being moveable between a first position allowingthe at least one bar to be placed on the seat section and a secondposition to block removal of the at least one bar from the assembly, thebody when assembled about the at least one bar, and the connection tothe adjacent bar being such that there is continuity of material betweenthe bars to inhibit compressive movement between the bars when undercompression.

Preferably, the seat section is a U-shaped channel complementary to partof the bar while the retainer is typically T-shaped and alsocomplementary to the bar so the bar is housed between them.

Preferably, intimacy arises through a complex wedge applied to aU-shaped bar section located on the seat, the complex wedge beingprovided by the retainer which drives one or in the case of two barsboth the bars into close contact with the seat section by a progressivetwo stage wedging action.

Preferably, intimacy arises through a complex wedge applied to aU-shaped bar section located on the seat section, the complex wedgebeing provided by the retainer which drives one or in the case of twobars both the bars simultaneously into close contact with the seatsection by a progressive two stage wedging action comprising a first andsecond stage, the first stage comprises a lateral wedging action givingrise to a substantially lateral force relative to the direction of theretainer and the second stage comprises the addition of a wedging actionacross the lateral force to lift the bars relative to the lateraldirection of the first applied force.

Preferably, the connector assembly is adapted to connect togetheropposed reinforcement bars wherein at least one of the bars comprises aloop section, the connector assembly having a seat section and aseparate retainer bridging member, the seat section having an openingand the seat section comprises a loop section seat accessible throughthe opening so that the loop section may be secured to the seat sectionwhen positioned on the seat, the bridging member being adapted to bridgeacross the opening when it is coupled to the seat section, the other barbeing otherwise connected to the seat section opposite the loop sectionseat, the relative dimensions of the bars, the section and the bridgingmember being so chosen and arranged that a rigid portion of the assemblyis located between the bars to resist compressive forces which may tendto force the bars toward each other and a further rigid section of theassembly is located in the loop section to resist deformation of theloop section when under tension, the body when assembled about the atleast one bar from the bar seat section and retainer surrounds the atleast one bar, the retainer and seat section being so dimensioned andarranged that upon assembly they co-operate to force the bar intointimate relation with the body.

Preferably, the bar connector assembly enables connection of bars to theassembly so that bars extend from the connector in opposite directions,the bars having U-shaped ends configured so that the ends may be heldcaptive in the assembly by the retainer.

Preferably, the seat section comprises a curved channel and anupstanding land, the at least one bar having a curved section definingan inside and outside of the curved section, the curved section of theat least one bar being operatively positioned in the channel, thechannel being at a boundary of the upstanding land, the upstanding landfilling the inside of the curved section so that upon a load beingapplied to the bar in tension, the land section aids in retaining thebar in position and inhibits its deformation.

Preferably, the retainer comprises a solid piece driven in to secure theat least one bar in position, the retainer comprises an edgewaysslidable member able to slide into operative position after the at leastone bar has been located in operative position in the seat section, thebar in combination with the seat section and the retainer serving tosecure the retainer and thereby the bar in position in the seat section,the retainer bridging across opposite sides of the seat section suchthat the seat section and retainer have the at least one bar locatedbetween them.

Preferably, the assembly is symmetrical so that two identically shapedcurved bars are connected together by the assembly with the bars soconnected together occupy a common plane.

Preferably, the seat section includes a retainer guide way and theretainer has a guide that travels on the guide way, the guide and/orguide way having a slight taper so that the retainer is wedged inposition.

Preferably, the assembly is symmetrical so that two curved bars ofcircular cross section are connected together by the assembly with thebars so connected together occupying a common plane, the two curved barsbeing U-shaped and the seat section having D-shaped lands matched to thebars, the retainer having curved wedge surfaces on opposite sides of theretainer, where at least part of the respective wedge surfaces slideunder a respective bar to lift the bar against its respective land.

Preferably, the assembly is symmetrical so that two identically shapedcurved bars are connected together by the assembly with the bars soconnected together occupying a common plane and any gaps between thebars are filled by the retainer so that compressive movement is blocked,the assembly being symmetrical in terms of force distribution in sideview with the seat section resisting tension on one side of the bars andthe retainer bridging the seat section on the opposite side of the barsto resist tension so that force applied to the bars is distributedevenly through the assembly.

Preferably, a second bar is connectable to the assembly, the second barbeing curved having a curved section and the retainer being operativelyconnected across the second bar to the seat section outboard of thesecond bar and thereby generating a clamping force on the curved sectionof the second bar with an outward wedge force applied in a direction oftension and an inward force opposite the outward force applied by reasonof the connection to the seat section outboard of the second bar.Preferably, the second bar is curved and the retainer is wedged againstthe at least one bar and the second bar.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats having curved sections inconfronting relation.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portion of opposed lands and having curved sections inconfronting relation and the retainer is wedged between bars located inthe curved sections applying an outward force to the bars and bridgingacross the lands applying an inward force to each of the lands tendingto prevent separation of the lands when tensioned.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portions of opposed lands, each the land comprises anupstanding post and each seat comprises a curved channel in theupstanding post, the channel extending around part of the post so that acurved section of bar wraps around the post and extends laterally of thepost.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portions of opposed lands, each the land comprises anupstanding post and each seat comprises a curved channel in theupstanding post, the channel extending around part of the post so thatsubstantially U-shaped bars may be held in a common plane, the seatsection comprises bilateral posts and bilateral channels, the channelsbeing substantially in a common plane.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portions of opposed lands each land being undercut on anouter edge, each undercut forming a guide way at each end for theretainer so the retainer slides sideways onto the lands in order tobridge across the lands.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portions of opposed lands each land being undercut on anouter edge, each undercut forming a guide way at each end for theretainer so the retainer slides sideways onto the lands in order tobridge across the lands, each guide way being tapered so that theretainer is wedged into the guide way.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portions of opposed lands each land being undercut on anouter edge, each undercut forming a guide way at each end for theretainer so the retainer slides sideways onto the lands in order tobridge across the lands, each guide way being tapered so that theretainer is wedged into the guide way, the retainer having a matchingundercut and taper.

Preferably, the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portions of opposed lands each land being undercut on anouter edge, each undercut forming a guide way at each end for theretainer so the retainer slides sideways onto the lands in order tobridge across the lands, each guide way being tapered so that theretainer is wedged into the guide way, the retainer having a matchingundercut and taper, each guide way extending across the seat section andis tapered from both ends to a central vertex so that the retainer mayenter from either end.

Preferably, the complex wedge comprises at least in part a curved wedgesurface. Preferably, the complex wedge action arises from a first wedgeregion adjacent a front of the retainer on opposite sides of theretainer and a second wedge region which comprises a curved continuationof the first wedge region and a third wedge region adjacent the secondwedge region. Preferably, in the case of two opposed bars, the wedgeaction operates simultaneously on the two bars and the first regiontends to spread the bars while the second and third wedge regions tendto lift the bars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood andput into practical effect, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to thepresent invention with a single bar already in place;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat section of a further embodimentsuitable for a connector assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retainer for use with the seat sectionof FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A through 5D are respective orthographic views of the seatsection of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sections through B-B and A-A respectively;

FIGS. 8A through 8D are respective orthographic views of the retainer ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a section through A-A of FIG. 8B; and

FIGS. 10A to 10F illustrate a further embodiment.

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there isillustrated a connector 10 and a U-shaped section of reinforcing bar 11secured within the connector. It will be appreciated that thereinforcing bar 11 does not constitute part of the present invention.The connector 10 in this case connects together two bar sectionsconfigured the same so that a corresponding reinforcing bar 11 may belocated in the opposite side of the connector as shown in FIG. 2 so thatthe two sections may be connected together in the same plane. Thereinforcing bar has been omitted from the opposite side in each case sothat the features of the opposite side of the connector may be seen moreclearly.

The connector includes a seat section 13 and a retainer section 14. Thereinforcing bars are held captive by reason of the relationship betweenthe seat section 13 and the retainer section 14 which involves a complexwedging action which may be provided by either the shape of the seatsection or the retainer section or appropriate shaping of both. However,for simplicity it is preferable to keep the seat section as a simplecurved channel and add complexity to the retainer (see FIG. 4). The seatsection 13 includes opposed D-shaped lands 15 and 16 defining thereaboutseats in the form of opposed channels 17 and 18 into which correspondingcurved sections 19 of reinforcing bars 11 can be located and positioned.The retainer 14 includes a T-shaped projection 20 that extendstransverse straight across the connector. The projection 20 abuts thebars in a wedging action and applies a slight outward force and upwardforce to drive the bars into intimate relation with the channels, whileat the same time inhibits compression that might otherwise cause thebars to move together thereby cracking the concrete. The D-shaped landsact in tension to keep the shape of the loop sections and prevent theloop section closing.

It should be appreciated that although the assembly is shown as asymmetrical unit only at least one bar need be connected using theteaching of the present invention. The other bar may be connected in anyother way. For example a single D-shaped land may used while at theother end a threaded blind hole may be used so that a single bar may beinserted into the assembly via the threaded hole. Thus two ends of aloop bar may extend in one direction locked in place by a one sidedretainer and a single bar would protrude in the opposite direction as avariation on the two loop version illustrated.

The seat section and the retainer section are cast iron selectedaccording to appropriate loading as would be desirable in a concretefloor or wall construction or any application where the connector may beused according to engineering specifications.

Thus, the loops 11 would typically project from a concrete wallconstruction or floor construction and be connected to reinforcing in anadjacent structure using the connector 10. Since the retainer is locatedin position by a transverse sliding action the relative dimensions ofthe body, the retainer and the bar may be selected so that the retainermay be driven into position and it is the complex wedge action whichretains the retainer in a secured position against the loop section 19.

With this general arrangement in mind reference will now be made to theother drawings which describe a preferred seat section and retainer ingreater detail.

FIG. 3 illustrates a seat section 21 and FIG. 4 illustrates a matchingretainer 22 for use with the seat section 21 and reinforcing barssimilar to the bars 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, the bars have asemicircle loop at the ends. The seat section 21 is generally U-shapedand the retainer 22 is generally T-shaped. The seat section issymmetrical, the retainer is not, the bars are of uniform cross-section.Therefore, in the present case the wedging action arises from theasymmetry of the retainer but could arise from asymmetry in the seatsection or they both may be asymmetric giving rise to ultimately thesame effect. This all gives rise to the prospect of more than two partsbeing employed, for example it is conceivable that the same functionaleffect of surrounding and wedging could be achieved with more than twoparts.

The retainer 22 can only slide onto the seat section in the direction ofarrow 23 but may slide on from either side, that is in the direction ofarrows 24 and 25 consequently for purposes of description the retainerhas a front at 26 and a back at 27.

The seat section has opposed lands in the form of posts 28 and 29, theseposts have channels 30 and 31 which take the bar loop sections (notshown). Each post has a retainer guide way at 32 and 33 whichco-operates with retainer guides 34 and 35. Thus having regard to FIGS.3 and 4 if one imagines flipping the retainer of FIG. 4 over in thedirection of arrow 36 the front 26 will be aligned with the seat sectionand may enter in the direction of arrow 25 with the guides and guideways co-operating.

As may be observed in FIG. 4 the guides are tapered back to front andare undercut, the guide ways are also tapered and undercut so that theretainer is constrained against transverse movement. In addition thedimensions of the guides, guide ways and the undercut in each case isselected to inhibit separation of the retainer and seat section when thebars are under tension thus inhibiting any “banana-ring” or curving ofthe connector. The tapers are chosen so that the guides progressivelywedge in the guide ways. The guide ways on the seat section taperbilaterally out from the centre so that the retainer may enter fromeither side as described.

When the bars are in position in the channels 30 and 31 the retainer hasa central wedge 37 which, in conjunction with the guides and guide waysis operative to eliminate play between the bars and the parts of theconnector to effectively form a rigid unit. This is accomplished byreason of the complex wedge action arising from a first wedge regionadjacent the front at 38 on opposite sides of the wedge 37 and a secondwedge region 39 which comprises a curved continuation of the wedgeregion 38 and a third wedge region at 40. Thus the first region tends tospread the bars while the second and third wedge regions tend to liftthe bars. This means the bars are forced into the channels 30 and 31 andup against the underside walls 41 and 42 of the channels 30 and 31.Since reinforcing bars vary slightly between manufacturers it will beappreciated that the retainer will simply travel further into the seatsection for narrower bars so each size connector may cater for a rangeof bar sizes.

The embodiment 50 of FIGS. 10A to 10F differs slightly relative to theearlier drawings in so far as the retainer guide ways 52 and 53 andguides 54 and 55 are parallel albeit still undercut. In addition theguides 54 and 55 are slightly further apart than the guide ways, in theillustrated embodiment there is effectively a 1 mm gap so that as thewedge 56 is being forced into position the wedge may slide sideways upto a mm. Applicant has found this takes into account common variation inbar diameter.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of thepresent invention many variations and modifications thereto will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broadambit and scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

1. A bar connector assembly whereby at least one bar portion may beconnected intimately with the connector assembly, the connector assemblycomprising a body surrounding the at least one arcuate bar portion, thebody having a bar seat section and a bar retainer, the seat section andretainer being moveable relative to each other for assembly together toform the surrounding body whereby during assembly the seat section,retainer and at least one arcuate bar portion are progressively wedgedtogether characterised in that the relationship between retainer andseat section comprises a complex wedge having two wedge actions, onewedge action being adapted to force the at least one bar portion in afirst direction and the second wedge action being adapted to force theat least one bar portion in a second direction, the cumulative effect ofthe complex wedge being to eliminate play between the at least one barportion, seat section and retainer.
 2. A bar connector assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein, the seat section and retainer section areseparate units.
 3. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1wherein, the seat section and retainer section are partially assembledand constrained together for transport purposes.
 4. A bar connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein the bar portion is outboard of thewedge, the seat section, retainer and bar portion being wedged together,utilising the complex wedging action whereby wedge forces are appliedlaterally and outwardly in the direction of the bar portion and thenacross the bar portion in order to eliminate play between the barportion and the connector assembly.
 5. A bar connector assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the wedge has a length sufficient to make aconnector that is operative for variations in bar tolerances
 6. A barconnector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the connector assemblyis configured to connect two opposed bar portion, the retainer beingconfigured to allow some limited transverse movement to accommodatedifferences in the bars being connected.
 7. A bar connector assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the connector assembly is configured toconnect two opposed bar portion, the retainer being configured to allowsome limited transverse movement to accommodate differences in the barsbeing connected, the retainer wedge being adapted to move sideways as itis being forced into operative position if one bar is slightly biggerthan the other.
 8. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe bar retainer is moveable relative to the seat section to enableentry of the said at least one bar into the assembly, the seat sectionbeing adapted to receive and automatically position the said at leastone bar relative to an adjacent bar already connected to the assembly,the retainer being moveable between a first position allowing the atleast one bar to be placed on the seat section and a second position toblock removal of the at least one bar from the assembly, the body whenassembled about the at least one bar, and the connection to the adjacentbar being such that there is continuity of material between the bars toinhibit compressive movement between the bars when under compression. 9.A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seat sectionis a U-shaped channel complementary to part of the bar while theretainer is typically T-shaped and complementary to the bar so the baris housed between them.
 10. A bar connector assembly according to claim1 wherein intimacy arises through a complex wedge applied to a U-shapedbar section located on the seat, the complex wedge being provided by theretainer which drives the bar at a tangent into close contact with theseat section by a progressive two stage wedging action.
 11. A barconnector assembly according to claim 1 wherein wherein intimacy arisesthrough a complex wedge applied to opposed U-shaped bar sections locatedon the seat section, the complex wedge being provided by the retainerwhich drives one or both the bars simultaneously into close contact withthe seat section by a progressive two stage wedging action comprising afirst and second stage, the first stage comprises a lateral wedgingaction giving rise to a substantially lateral force relative to thedirection of the retainer and the second stage comprises the addition ofa wedging action across the lateral force to lift the bars relative tothe lateral direction of the first applied force.
 12. A bar connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein the connector assembly is adaptedto connect together opposed reinforcement bars wherein at least one ofthe bars comprises a loop section, the retainer comprising a bridgingmember adapted to bridge over the seat section, the seat section havingan opening and the seat section comprises a loop section seat accessiblethrough the opening so that the loop section may be positioned on theseat, the bridging member being adapted to bridge across the openingwhen it is coupled to the seat section, the other one of the said barsbeing otherwise connected to the seat section opposite the loop sectionseat, the relative dimensions of the bars, the seat section and thebridging member being so chosen and arranged that a rigid portion of theassembly is located between the bars to resist compressive forces whichmay tend to force the bars toward each other and a further rigid sectionof the assembly is located inside the loop section to resist deformationof the loop section when under tension, the body when assembled aboutthe bars from the bar seat section and retainer surrounds the at leastone bar and being so dimensioned and arranged that upon assembly theyco-operate to force the at least one bar into intimate relation with thebody.
 13. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the barconnector assembly enables connection of bars to the assembly so thatbars extend from the connector in opposite directions, the bars havingU-shaped ends configured so that the ends may be held captive in theassembly by the retainer
 14. A bar connector assembly according to claim1 wherein the seat section comprises a curved channel and an upstandingland, the at least one bar having a curved section defining an insideand outside of the curved section, the curved section of the at leastone bar being operatively positioned in the channel, the channel beingat a boundary of the upstanding land, the upstanding land filling theinside of the curved section so that upon a load being applied to thebar in tension, the land section aids in retaining the bar in positionand inhibits its deformation.
 15. A bar connector assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the retainer comprises a solid piece driven in to securethe at least one bar in position, the retainer comprises an edgewaysslidable member able to slide into operative position after the at leastone bar has been located in operative position in the seat section, thebar in combination with the seat section and the retainer serving tosecure the retainer and thereby the bar in position in the seat section,the retainer bridging across opposite sides of the body such that thebody and retainer have the at least one bar located between them.
 16. Abar connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly issymmetrical so that two identically shaped curved bars are connectedtogether by the assembly with the bars so connected together occupy acommon plane.
 17. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe seat section includes a retainer guide way and the retainer has aguide that travels on the guide way, the guide and/or guide way having aslight taper so that the retainer is wedged in position.
 18. A barconnector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly issymmetrical so that two identically shaped curved bars of circular crosssection are connected together by the assembly with the bars soconnected together occupying a common plane, the two curved bars beingU-shaped and the seat section having D-shaped lands matched to the bars,the retainer having curved wedge surfaces on opposite sides of theretainer, where at least part of the respective wedge surfaces slidesunder a respective bar to lift the bar against its respective land. 19.A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly issymmetrical so that two identically shaped curved bars are connectedtogether by the assembly with the bars so connected together occupying acommon plane and any gaps between the bars are filled by the retainer sothat compressive movement is blocked, the assembly being symmetrical interms of force distribution in side view with the seat section resistingtension on one side of the bars and the retainer bridging the seatsection on the opposite side of the bars to resist tension so that forceapplied to the bars is distributed evenly through the assembly.
 20. Abar connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein a second bar isconnectable to the assembly, the second bar being curved having a curvedsection and the retainer being operatively connected across the secondbar to the seat section outboard of the second bar and therebygenerating a clamping force on the curved section of the second bar withan outward wedge force applied in a direction of tension and an inwardforce opposite the outward force applied by reason of the connection tothe seat section outboard of the second bar.
 21. A bar connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly is adapted to receivea second bar, the second bar is curved and the retainer is also wedgedagainst the second bar.
 22. A bar connector assembly according to claim1 wherein the assembly has two opposed seats having curved sections inconfronting relation.
 23. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1wherein the assembly has two opposed seats defined as the innerperipheral portion of opposed lands and having curved sections inconfronting relation and the retainer is wedged between bars located inthe curved sections applying an outward force to the bars and bridgingacross the lands applying an inward force to each of the lands tendingto prevent separation of the lands when tensioned.
 24. A bar connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly has two opposed seatsdefined as the inner peripheral portions of opposed lands, each the landcomprises an upstanding post and each seat comprises a curved channel inthe upstanding post, the channel extending around part of the post sothat a curved section of bar wraps around the post and extends laterallyof the post.
 25. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe assembly has two opposed seats defined as the inner peripheralportions of opposed lands, each the land comprises an upstanding postand each seat comprises a curved channel in the upstanding post, thechannel extending around part of the post so that substantially U-shapedbars may be held in a common plane, the seat section comprises bilateralposts and bilateral channels, the channels being substantially in acommon plane.
 26. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe assembly has two opposed seats defined as the inner peripheralportions of opposed lands each land being undercut on an outer edge,each undercut forming a guide way at each end for the retainer so theretainer slides sideways onto the lands in order to bridge across thelands.
 27. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein theassembly has two opposed seats defined as the inner peripheral portionsof opposed lands each land being undercut on an outer edge, eachundercut forming a guide way at each end for the retainer so theretainer slides sideways onto the lands in order to bridge across thelands, each guide way being tapered so that the retainer is wedged intothe guide way.
 28. A bar connector assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe assembly has two opposed seats defined as the inner peripheralportions of opposed lands each land being undercut on an outer edge,each undercut forming a guide way at each end for the retainer so theretainer slides sideways onto the lands in order to bridge across thelands, each guide way being tapered so that the retainer is wedged intothe guide way, the retainer having a matching undercut and taper.
 29. Abar connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly has twoopposed seats defined as the inner peripheral portions of opposed landseach land being undercut on an outer edge, each undercut forming a guideway at each end for the retainer so the retainer slides sideways ontothe lands in order to bridge across the lands, each guide way beingtapered so that the retainer is wedged into the guide way, the retainerhaving a matching undercut and taper, each guide way extending acrossthe seat section and is tapered from both ends to a central vertex sothat the retainer may enter from either end.
 30. A bar connectorassembly according to claim 1 wherein the complex wedge comprises atleast in part a curved wedge surface.
 31. A bar connector assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the complex wedge action arises from afirst wedge region adjacent a front of the retainer on opposite sides ofthe retainer and a second wedge region which comprises a curvedcontinuation of the first wedge region and a third wedge region adjacentthe second wedge region.
 32. A bar connector assembly according to claim1 wherein the complex wedge action arises from a first wedge regionadjacent a front of the retainer on opposite sides of the retainer and asecond wedge region which comprises a curved continuation of the firstwedge region and a third wedge region adjacent the second wedge regionand the assembly is adapted to connect two opposed bars, the wedgeaction operating simultaneously on the two bars and the first wedgeregion tends to spread the bars while the second and third wedge regionstend to lift the bars.